MIAMI COUNTY FORMS NEW QUAIL FOREVER CHAPTER

Chapter meeting Tuesday, April 12PAOLA — Quail hunters and conservationists in Miami County have formed the 12th Quail Forever chapter in Kansas. The group, known as the Border Bobs Quail Forever chapter, will dedicate its efforts to improving habitat for bobwhite quail and providing opportunities for youngsters to learn about hunting, conservation, and the outdoors.

The chapter is led by newly-elected president Paul Scruggs of Paola. Scruggs' passion for quail hunting is fueled by owning bird dogs, and his passion for creating habitat has been fueled by efforts to improve quail numbers on his own property.

"Having a Quail Forever chapter provides a much more visible opportunity for others to get involved and will help conservation outreach to area landowners," Scruggs says. He adds that working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and conservation districts in Miami, Franklin, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties to promote federal Conservation Practice 33 to landowners will also be crucial. Better known as "bobwhite buffers," the program establishes edge habitat along fields, streams, and woods that bobwhite quail need. There are currently 39,344 such acres enrolled in Kansas.

Scruggs also says the chapter's youth focus is equally important. "You can spend millions on habitat, but if you don't have anyone to take over down the road, it's all in vain. The Border Bobs Quail Forever chapter wants to get youth excited about being outdoors, to put that fire in them."

The chapter's next meeting is 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, at the Gardner Public Library. For more information about the chapter, including upcoming meetings and events, phone Scruggs at 913-221-5705.-30-